Bluestem’s current sheriff, who willingly works alongside Virgil and contributes promising ideas while facing possible suspicion himself.

Wealthy, widely disliked Bluestem lawyer, banker, and trader whose enemies include people harmed by his Jerusalem artichoke scheme.

Jimmy Stryker’s recently divorced sister, who attracts Virgil’s interest as he works with her brother on the Bluestem investigation.

An elderly Bluestem physician whose earlier death, alongside his wife’s, is the case that originally brings Virgil to town.

Russell Gleason’s elderly wife and fellow victim; the couple’s killings precede the fatal fire at Bill Judd’s house.

A retired Stark County sheriff counted among the apparently inoffensive victims connected to Virgil’s expanding Bluestem case.

A rumored illegitimate child of Bill Judd who emerges as a possible claimant to the dead man’s estate.